Buoy for mooring vessels

ABSTRACT

A buoy for a floating vessel has a compartment at the upper portion, in which to store and protect a mooring line or rope when not in use. Above the compartment is an entrance defined by a neck and a head, above it, which receives said line on its way into the compartment.

atent United States [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1964 Brooks.........................

[72] Inventor Harold E. Claflin 288 Bar Cliff Ave., Chatham, Mass. 02633 [21 App]. No. 837,846

3,156,933 3,259,927 7/1966 Devis............... Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler 1 Assistant Examiner-Steven W. .Weinrieb [22] Filed June30,1969 [4S] Patented Sept.l4,1971

Attorney-Harold E. Cole {54] BUOY FOR MOORING VESSELS 2 (,lulms, 3 Drawing Fig.

STRACT: A buoy for a floating vessel has a compartment at the upper portion, in which to store and protect a mooring line or rope when not in use. Above the compartment is an entrance defined by a neck and a head, above it, which receives said line on its way into the compartment.

B A JN HJ 3133 M 3h 3 43N4 9 B m wh u "c m L M w U MP. H M 5 55 BUOY FOR MOORING VESSELS The principal object of my invention is to provide means to protect the mooring line from an accumulation of foul matter or marine growth, to keep it dry and to shield it from damage due to movements of craft nearby, resulting from foul weather.

The foregoing and other objects, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and arrangement of parts such as is disclosed by the drawing. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modifications, and, therefore, I am not to be limited to the construction disclosed by the drawing nor to the particular parts described in the specification; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of my invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross section of my buoy taken on the line 1-1 ofFlG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of my buoy.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

As illustrated, my buoy has a main body on which the normal water level L is shown. Said body has a tapering lower portion 12, adjoining which is a wider and intermediate portion 14 above it and then an upper portion 16 tapering upwardly. Said intermediate portion 14 preferably tapers onefourth inch per foot upwardly to avoid binding in ice. A well or compartment 18 is provided in said upper portion 16 and in part of said intermediate portion 14 that terminates at a solid or floor portion 20 that preferably pitches laterally outward.

Holes 22 in said intermediate portion 14 extend laterally from the exterior thereof and communicate with said compartment 18 at a point approximately even with said floor portion 20. Should water or other liquid, as from a rainstorm or collision, enter said compartment said holes 22 permit escape thereof. Also said holes normally permit circulation of air in said compartment which is desirable to prevent mildew and other deterioration. I prefer to have four holes 90 apart; but these may be varied in number and size.

Extending from said floor 20 and located centrally of said compartment 18 is an elongated neck 26 that continues upwardly to a point above said compartment, thus providing an exposed post or neck portion 26a around which to coil a rope R before it drops into said compartment 18. Above and adjoining said neck portion 26a is a head portion 28 of greater width than said neck portion 26a which provides a guide or stop member in receiving the rope. The head 28 together with the upper edge of said main body 10 define an entrance or opening 29 for said rope R on its way to said compartment 18.

Fastening means 30, in the form of an elongate rod extends the length of said buoy. it provides an eye or loop 32 formed at and beyond the upper end of said head 28. Said rod 30 also provides an eye or loop 34 at and beyond the lower end of said body 10. This rod 30 is preferably made of hot rolled steel and when heated is bent to form said eyes 32 and 34, continuing therefrom as straight leg portions 36 and 32 respectively. The latter may be locked in place, along with parallel portions of said rod 30 by plates 40 and 42 respectively that are set or molded in said head 28 and lower body portion 12. Said plates are made of metal or other firrn material.

In use my buoy floats in the water with a substantial portion below said holes 22 normally visible as well as all parts above. Hence when said rope R is not in use it may be inserted in said compartment as by coiling, starting by dropping to the floor portion 20. I

If needed a lead ballast member or members 44, or other weights, may be provided at the lower end of said body 10 in which event screws 46 extend through said ballast members and thread into said plate 42.

Said rope or pennant R may be made of any suitable material such as nylon and may be looped at one end to connect with said eye and also be looped at its free end and the latter loop placed over said eye, when the rope is not in use.

My buoy may be made of polystyrofoam or polystyrene or other suitable material, and covered with fiberglass cloth, with said main body 10, neck 26 and head 28 being integral. How ever, other materials, such as metal, cement, or wood may be used.

As shown in said FIG. 1 I provide a radar screen 54 at the interior of said head portion 28, which is fixed in place at the lower portion of the latter when my buoy is being formed.

What I claim is:

1. A buoy for a floating vessel comprising a main body having a hollow open compartment in the upper portion thereof to receive a mooring line, means above said compartment in position of use to attach a said mooring line to said buoy, a neck of less width than and extending into said compartment and above the latter, and a head adjoining and extending above said neck in position of use, said head being of greater width than said neck whereby an entrance between said head and the upper edge of said body is provided laterally opposite said neck.

2. A buoy as of claim 1, and a radar screen mounted within said head. 

1. A buoy for a floating vessel comprising a main body having a hollow open compartment in the upper portion thereof to receive a mooring line, means above said compartment in position of use to attach a said mooring line to said buoy, a neck of less width than and extending into said compartment and above the latter, and a head adjoining and extending above said neck in position of use, said head being of greater width than said neck whereby an entrance between said head and the upper edge of said body is provided laterally opposite said neck.
 2. A buoy as of claim 1, and a radar screen mounted within said head. 